Heartfelt Proverbs

Proverbs has a lot to say about the heart. Sometimes the truth is given directly like in Proverbs 24:1-2 “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, 2 for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble” and Proverbs 6:14 describes a wicked man’s heart, “with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord.” Very often the proverbs are given with a contrast between the good heart and the bad and seek to teach or instruct us about our hearts. Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. “ The writer of Proverbs was wise and desired us to know how God views the heart of man and that God would not just be an observer in our lives. Proverbs 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 17:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”

Proverbs also teaches how our hearts can and do please or displease God. Proverbs 15:13-15 speaks of the cheerful, seeking heart and how a sorrow can crush the spirit of our heart. “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 14:30 speaks of the effects of calm and envy on the heart. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” In Proverbs 6:16-19 we are given a list of things God hates that really displease Him. “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,and hands that shed innocent blood,18 a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil,19 a false witness who breathes out lies,and one who sows discord among brothers.”

How do these ‘heart’ proverbs speak to you today? Is your heart cheerful and calm or do you have times when you feel discord, disharmony or evil? Because of the root of sin in our hearts, we need to continually submit our hearts to the Lord for His continual transformation. I love Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.” I do want King Jesus as my friend so I need to submit to daily cleansing at His feet in prayer. Won’t you join me today?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you know the true nature of my heart. Root out the evil ways in me and replace them with your love, grace and mercy. Give me compassion and love for others that comes out of a grateful heart. Create in me a clean heart that desires to please you. Amen.